France
provence (luberon)

What makes the people feeling drawn to the region of Luberon in the Provence, one asks oneself. Is it the landscape? Is it the climate? Is it the calmness of its inhabitants? Or is it the impression that it is an unequalled natural reserve? This valley with its mountain peaks along the Route Nationale 100 between Coustellet and Forcalquier has always been a favourite place for finding variety.

Marquis de Sade seems to having been the most famous one. He left the village Lacoste being closely bound with sadism. Even still in our days the ruin above the village, which is in private hands now, gives evidence of his deeds. In recent days it was the British author Peter Mayle being resident in Menerbes, who provoked a real touristical run to this region. He managed to do that by his humourously written books on the life of the Provencial people in our days. The small villages mostly towering on the top of the hills and thus seeming to watch the wide valley closely, are representing an irresistible appeal.

Strolling through the narrow lanes, letting the strong aroma of Provencial cooking tickling ones noses, visiting the different markets and, of course, absorbing the colours of the Provence completely and let them sink in - all these things can be experienced here. And not only the signposted sights as for example the abbey of Senanque or the Colorado provencal or the ochre rocks of Roussillon or the Bories near Gordes are worth while to be visited. It is advisable to walk a little way away from these places as well and let nature sink in.